VANCOUVER -- If you’re heading to the Pacific National Exhibition for the opening this weekend just remember: When you play the game of thrones you win or you die ...

The 15-day fair on Thursday unveiled a new Game of Thrones exhibit that will be sure to thrill legions of fans of the books and the popular HBO television series.

Also new this year is a 20,000-square-foot interactive animation exhibition titled Get Animated! and a special tribute to the Beatles on the 50th anniversary of the band’s first and only performance in Vancouver.

PNE president Mike McDaniel said the star attractions, along with other crowd pleasers such as an Internet cat video festival and the debut of the musical group Jigu! Thunder Drums of China, Bollywood dancers and other musical acts, the PNE is “extremely proud of this year’s entertainment, many of which are new and for this year only.”

The Vancouver Sun went on a tour of the new exhibits and interviewed Game of Thrones actress Sibel Kekilli, who portrayed Shae.

Game of Thrones exhibit

According to Game of Thrones lore, “the breath of the greatest dragon forged the Iron Throne” and now you too can sit in it and feel the power of kings. Get your buddies to take photos of you posing as a drunken lord or stern king on the Iron Throne, a central artifact from the TV drama, which is an epic tale of nobility, family, love and betrayal.

Nearly 100 artifacts and costumes will be on display, as well as an immersive 3D Oculus Rift experience that takes people on a wild ride into the world of Westeros. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the Garden Auditorium.

Get Animated! exhibit

Also new to the PNE this year, the interactive animation exhibit is a place where kids and big kids at heart can draw cartoons, take part in five interactive stations and check out special tributes to animation giants like DreamWorks, Sony and Disney.

Troy Carlson, CEO of Stage Nine Design, showed off some of the displays such as a miniature set of Walt Disney’s backyard in Hollywood.

“It’s believed this miniature train that ran around his property is what inspired him to think bigger and to want to build Disneyland,” he said.

Guests of the exhibit can also see 3D models, original artwork and see how claymation and stop-motion techniques work.

Beatles 50th anniversary concert

PNE creative director Red Robinson said the PNE was home to the Beatles’ first outdoor concert in North America on Aug. 22, 1964. The iconic gig, which was attended by more than 20,000 screaming fans, will be played out Aug. 22 with tribute band Revolver at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Q&A with Sibel Kekilli:

Q What do you think Vancouver’s fans will think of the exhibit?

A It’s a huge chance to give something back to the fans. They can see the Iron Throne in its original size and all the costumes and (can try) ascending the wall (in the Oculus Rift experience.) I don’t know if you’ve tried it but it’s amazing. And for me also it’s a special thing — I saw my belt and my necklace (from the show) and you have a feeling that you are part of the show when you are here.

Q What do you think it is about this show that has made it so popular?

A It’s a hard question because the fan base is growing from season to season and I don’t know why. Everyone is talking about it. It’s just crazy. Maybe it’s because you are never sure who is dying next? Ned Stark died in the first season and the whole Stark family is killed off so that’s the secret. And there are lots of plots and violence — so they are not afraid to show everything. I guess that’s it.

Q SPOILER ALERT: Most fans by now know you die at the end of Season 4. Now that you are off the show, what are your plans?

A I’m trying to come back as a zombie.

Q Maybe you should go out for The Walking Dead?

A (Laughs). Ha! Maybe we can mix them together — The Walking Dead and the Game of Thrones — that would be nice. Right now I am working in Germany but I would like to work again in the English language. And I am really enjoying still being part of this show and travelling around.

Q On the show your character Shae betrays her love Tyrion. Why did she do that?

A Because if the Lanisters want something, they get it. She was a low-born, a prostitute and her only hope for a normal life or a family was maybe Tyrion. And he said something to her that hurts very much. He did it to save her, but he was the only one who treated her with respect but then at the end he called her a whore, saying, “you can’t bear my children.” And so he stepped over the line. So it was a bit of revenge. What are you going to do? The Lanisters come to you ... and they will say die or do it.

Q Did you read the books before you started this role?

A I didn’t want to because I was told at the audition: “Shae might be a big bigger, a bit different than the books.” So I didn’t wanted to get confused between the book Shae and the show Shae. But now I have time I think I will read them.

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PNE visitors set to play the Game of Thrones

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